Something’s different today in the world I live in. Last night I learned that the coronavirus has wormed its way closer to my family. A college friend of my oldest grandson has tested positive for Covil-19. For our multi-generational household, that’s too close for comfort. Not exactly a show-stopper, more a cautious intermission.
This morning I ventured out early on my heretofore normal trail walk, 
along the wild flower-edged path and the breeze-riddled and rippled brook.
I see others out early also— a pair of walkers, a skateboarder, a pink helmeted 
young cyclist, a barefoot tattooed runner, several dog-walkers and a few stroller-pushers. And because of the summertime cold front that blew in this week, a few bipeds in hooded garb. Straight out of Central Casting. All of us are socially distanced simply because there are fewer of us at this hour of the day.
Not everyone, but most, are wearing masks. Which makes me imagine that if trail walkers—only a few months ago— had looked like we look today, any visiting hikers would have sworn they’d wandered onto the set of a “Walking Dead” episode.
As I continue on my walk today, I take note of some things previously overlooked —a grinning beast emerging from a nearby log 
and a flying mermaid 
hovering incongruously just above a grassy field. Both sculpted by the well known WinnRane, visible figments of my imagination.
Not as scary as the predator I cannot see, the one that cloaks itself in droplets, trying to worm its way into our house.
These mental meanderings leave me as I walk out of the woods into a glorious, sunlit opening. 
With this view of the distant Rocky Mountains– as if on cue from a director who knows that music is key to mood — a song comes to mind. Sung by the Bee Gees, with a two-word refrain.
“Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive.”
That’s the point, isn’t it?
Very nicely written. Your images are great and add a lot of meaning. Keep up the good work. LP Jack